Education in Kerala

Education in Kerala – An Introduction

Kerala – popularly known as -God’s Own Country is located in the southwestern part of the country on the Malabar Coast. Celebrated as the spice coast, it has a rich historical past and played host to Greeks, Romans, Arabs, Chinese, Portuguese, Dutch, French and the British who have left their imprint on this land in some form or the other. Kerala is one of the most progressive states in terms of social welfare and quality of life. As per 2011 census the population of Kerala was 33.41 million, of which the male population was 16.03 million and female population was 17.39 million. The literacy rate of Karnataka was 94%, of which the male literacy is 96.11% and female literacy is 100.76%. The sex ratio of Karnataka was 1084 females per 1000 males, which in itself is a unique feat for a country like India.

School Education in Kerala

The importance of education in Kerala can be gauged from the fact that the state is the most literate amongst the others in the country. Schools in Kerala are divided into three parts – Lower Primary from class I to IV, Upper Primary from class V to VII, Secondary from VIII to X, and Senior Secondary from XI to XII. There are 6,817 Lower Primary schools, 3,037 Upper Primary schools, 2,608 Secondary schools and 1,267 Higher Secondary schools in Kerala. Apart from the primary schools there are pre-primary institutions which include “Aanganwadis”. The education department of the state gives special attention to the primary education. Girls outnumber boys in all classes comprising 49.23% of total student’s enrolment in schools. Educational institutions in Kerala are run either by the Government, private trusts and individuals. The Schools in Kerala are affiliated to Indian Certificate of Secondary Education, the Central Board of Secondary Education and the Kerala State Education Board. Though both English and Malayalam are offered as medium of instructions by the state run schools, most of the private schools adopt English as their language of teaching. After completing the secondary education that involves 10 years of schooling, students usually enroll in higher secondary education in any one of the three disciplines – Science, Commerce and Humanities.

Higher Education in Kerala

On the introduction of the new education policy by the state government, which enabled private colleges on Self-Financing basis, a number of colleges offering professional education commenced throughout the state. Admission to most of these colleges is based on marks obtained in the entrance examinations. Self-Financing colleges offer 50% seats on merit basis and the rest in management quota. Kerala has 9 medical colleges, 11 pharmacy colleges, 9, dental colleges, 5 homeo colleges, 77 engineering colleges, 31 nursing colleges, 121 poly technics, 10 ayurveda colleges, 9 agricultural colleges, 7 food craft institutes, 7 universities, 2 deemed universities and 224 degree colleges. Universities in Kerala have now shifted the emphasis from conventional courses to professional and technical job oriented courses while giving sanction to new courses. The role of government in higher education is limited to the number of colleges which are financially supported by it whereas the role of private sector educational institutions has increased substantially. There are many technical and research related institutions in the state for aspiring students as well. Infrastructure prevails for industry interface and employment.

Education in Kerala – Future

Needless to say, with all indicators speaking for themselves Kerala is ideally an aspiring student’s educational paradise.